Australia is sending six ministers to a forum in Papua New Guinea, the largest delegation of its kind in more than a decade. Foreign Affairs Minister Marise Payne will lead her colleagues to PNG-Australia ministerial meetings in Port Moresby on Monday. Australia's finance, defence, international development, immigration and trade ministers will be joining her. The ministers will focus on boosting security and economic ties with Australia's nearest neighbour. Australia is PNG's largest trading partner, with two-way trade of $6.7 billion and investment of $17 billion in 2018. Senator Payne and her PNG counterpart Soroi Eoe will host a business dialogue to discuss trade and economic conditions between the two governments. The minister will also launch a new secondary school initiative that links 24 Australian schools with those in PNG. "The program will connect students and teachers for learning and education leadership outcomes and deepen our people-to-people links," Senator Payne said ahead of her trip. "I will also meet women working in community development to hear about their work on health, education, disability, and entrepreneurship." Ahead of the forum, Defence Minister Linda Reynolds observed soldiers from the two nations take part in a joint military training program. Senator Reynolds said the exercise could be used as a model for other countries in the region. "There are lessons to be learnt from here in PNG in terms of how we listen and how we really understand what is important," she told ABC radio. "Every nation is different. Every nation has different capabilities. Every nation has different sovereign challenges. But there are very similar ones." Australia plans to develop a mobile training team called the Pacific support force to work with troops across the region. PNG's recent request for direct budget support from Australia is expected to be among the issues discussed at Monday's forum. Australia has for years avoided direct involvement in PNG government finances. Canberra usually prefers to provide aid for specific health and education programs. But the possibility of PNG turning to China for financial support could change that. Australian Associated Press